Dahlia plant named ‘DA12’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Dahlia  plant named ‘DA12’ characterized by its ray floret color (when opening, upper side): Red, RHS 44A.; capitulum (composite flower head): 9.5 to 11.0 cm in diameter, with a large number of ray florets (about 110 to 150); mature leaves are about 6 to 15 cm in length, mostly compound, with 1-5 leaflets and immature leaves are about 4 to 10 cm in length, compound, with 1-5 leaflets; and vigorous plant vigor, growing upright to outward to form cylindrical-shaped plant.

Latin name of the genus and species of the claimed plant: Dahlia sp.

Variety denomination: ‘DA12’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant, botanically known as Dahlia sp. of the Compositae ( Asteraceae ) family, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘DA 12’.

The new Dahlia cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Rune Harboe Nielsen, in Odense, Denmark. The objective of the breeding program is to develop a new Dahlia variety with a compact, strong, and healthy growth habit, suitable for large scale container production; fully double flowering creating a globular-shaped flower head (composite flower head with many ray florets); and flower heads with new, vibrant colors.

The new Dahlia cultivar originated from a cross made in a controlled breeding program by the inventor in 2003, in Fyn, Odense, Denmark. The female or seed parent is a Dahlia cultivar designated ‘01.149L’ (unpatented). The male or pollen parent is a Dahlia cultivar designated ‘DASEKS’ (unpatented in the US, granted as EU-CPVO application number 19981438). The new Dahlia ‘DA12’ was discovered and selected by the inventor as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in May of 2004 in a controlled environment in Odense, Denmark.

Asexual reproduction of the new Dahlia cultivar by vegetative cuttings was first performed in August of 2004 in Odense, Denmark, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘DA12’, which in combination distinguish this Dahlia as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Ray floret color (when opening, upper side): Red, RHS 44A.;     -   2. Capitulum (composite flower head): 9.5 to 11.0 cm in         diameter, with a large number of ray florets (about 110 to 150);     -   3. Foliage: Mature leaves are about 6 to 15 cm in length, mostly         compound, with 1-5 leaflets and immature leaves are about 4 to         10 cm in length, compound, with 1-5 leaflets; and     -   4. Plant Vigor and Growth Habit: Vigorous, grows upright to         outward to form cylindrical-shaped plant.

Plants of the new Dahlia ‘DA12’ differ from plants of the male parent ‘DASEKS’ (unpatented in the US, granted as EU-CPVO application number 19981438) in the characteristics described in Table 1. Plants of the female parent ‘01.149L’ (unpatented) are unavailable for comparison to plants of ‘DA12’.

TABLE 1 Male Parent ‘DASEKS’ (unpatented New Cultivar in U.S., granted Characteristic ‘DA12’ as EU-CPVO 19981438) Color of Ray Floret Red, RHS 44A. Red-purple, RHS 60A (when opening, upper side) Capitulum 9.5 to 11 cm 50 to 70 mm Diameter. Foliage: Mostly compound, with Single leaves. 1-5 leaflets. Growth Habit. Grows upright to Grows erect to semi-erect outward to form in compact plant shape. cylindrical-shaped plant.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new Dahlia ‘DA12’ is the Dahlia ‘ISABELA’ (unpatented in the US, granted as EU-CPVO application number 20031208), in the characteristics described in Table 2:

TABLE 2 Comparison Cultivar ‘ISABELA’ (granted New Cultivar as EU-CPVO application Characteristic ‘DA12’ number 20031208) Color of Ray Red, RHS 44A. Red 53A. Floret (when opening, upper side) Number of Ray About 110 to 150. About 80 to 100. Florets. Capitulum 9.5 to 11 cm 8 to 9 cm. Diameter. Foliage: Mostly compound, with 1-5 A few single, mostly leaflets. compound, tri-lobed. Plant Vigor and Vigorous, grows upright to Vigorous, grows upright to Growth Habit. outward to form outward to form cylindrical-shaped plant. cylindrical-shaped plant. Plant Height: About 40 to 45 cm About 35 to 40 cm Plant Spread: About 35 to 45 cm About 30 to 35 cm

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Dahlia ‘DA12’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the color of ‘DA12’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective a typical flowering plant of ‘DA12’ in a 15 cm pot (volume 2 liters), at 9 weeks of age after potting.

FIG. 2 shows a top view perspective of a fully opened capitulum of ‘DA12’ (as identified by breeder reference 03.217D), at 9 weeks of age after potting.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical Capitulum of ‘DA12’ (as identified by breeder reference 03.217D) in different stages of development.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up top view of the typical foliage of ‘DA12’ (as identified by breeder reference 03.217D), at 9 weeks of age after potting.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Dahlia ‘DA12’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Dahlia ‘DA12’ as grown in a protected environment in a glass, greenhouse in Fyn, Odense, Denmark, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. During propagation, conducted in a glass, greenhouse, vegetative cuttings were planted in small propagation pots with peat as substrate, and then placed in a plastic tunnel averaging about 21° C. and received photoperiodic treatments of 18 hours. Supplementary light was given when natural light fell below 3000-4000 Lux. Rooting occurred about 12 days after planting. In third week after planting, young plants were potted in an 11 cm pot in a glass, greenhouse maintained at 18° C. to 22° C. during the day, and at 17° C. to 19° C. during the night. Photoperiodic treatments were continued at 18 hours, and supplementary light was given when natural light fell below 3000-4000 Lux. Irrigation was done with water. The EC measured in the soil was maintained between 2.0 to 3.0. One week after potting, the first growth regulation was given: a spray with 85% daminozide, 0.2%, 25 ml/m². During the production time, 4 additional sprayings were given with 85% daminozide, 0.2%, 70-100 ml/m².

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), 2001 edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM in Fyn, Odense, Denmark. The age of the ‘DA12’ plants described is 12 weeks (including propagation time).

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Dahlia sp. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female or seed parent.—Dahlia cultivar designated ‘01.149L’             (unpatented).         -   Male or pollen parent.—Dahlia cultivar designated ‘DASEKS’             (unpatented in US, granted as EU-CPVO application number             19981438). -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Vegetative cuttings.         -   Rooting description.—Fibrous and freely-branching.         -   Height of rooting structure.—Depends on container, can grow             to about 30 to 40 cm.         -   Diameter of rooting structure.—Depends on container, can             grow to about 30 to 40 cm.         -   Color of roots.—White, RHS 155B.         -   Time to initiate roots.—About 12 days at 21° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—About 21 days at 21° C.             during rooting phase, 18° C.         -   Tubers.—Will form under short day conditions, 12 hours of             darkness. Tubers may develop in late-summer/early autumn             when planted outdoors. -   Plant:     -   -   Crop time.—After rooting, about 9 to 10 weeks are required             to produce finished flowering plants in 15 cm pots.         -   Plant vigor.—Vigorous.         -   Form.—Cylindrical, grows upward to outward.         -   Size.—Height (from soil level to top of plant plane): About             40 to 45 cm. Height (from soil level to top of foliage):             About 25-35 cm. Spread: About 35 to 45 cm.         -   Stem.—Appearance/Shape: Circular, hollow, glabrous, ridged.             Diameter: About 8 to 12 mm. Aspect: Upright to outward             Strength: Strong Texture: Glaucous. Pubescence: None. Color:             Yellow-green, RHS 144A.         -   Lateral branches.—Quantity per plant: About 6 to 7 (when             pinching over 3 pair of leaves). Strength: Tough. Length:             (including inflorescences): About 25-40 cm. (from break to             base of peduncle): About 12 to 15 cm. Diameter: About 8 to             12 mm. Color: Yellow-green, RHS 144A. Habit: Freely             branching. Basal Branching: Yes. Pinching: Pinching             recommended. Internode length: About 3 to 8 cm.         -   Foliage.—Type: First 2 to 3 pairs on basic lateral branch             single. Thereafter, compound with about 3 to 5 leaflets.             Quantity of leaves per lateral branch: About 4 to 8.             Quantity of leaflets per compound leaf: 1 to 5. Color             (leaves and leaflets): Color (mature): Upper side: Green,             RHS 139A. Under side: Greyed-green, RHS 191B. Color             (immature): Upper side: Green, RHS 139B. Under side: Green,             RHS 139B. Venation (leaves and leaflets): Pattern: Pinnate.             Color: Upper side: Yellow-green, RHS 146A. Under side:             Yellow-green, RHS 146B. Simple Leaves: Arrangement:             Opposite, decussate. Length: Mature leaves (at base): 6 to             15 cm; Immature leaves: 4 to 10 cm. Width: Mature leaves: 5             to 7 cm. Immature leaves: 3 to 5 cm. Shape: Elliptical,             cuspidate tip, rounded to cordate base. Margin: Dentate (not             sharp). Texture (both sides): Rugose. Petiole: Shape: Semi             circular, with deep furrow on adaxial side. Length: About 2             to 7 cm. Diameter: About 3 to 6 mm. Color: Upper side:             Yellow-green, RHS 146B. Under side: Yellow-green, RHS 146A.             Compound Leaves: Arrangement and shape: Compound with 3-5             leaflets Leaves near the petiole are often tri-lobed or             single. Length: Up to 25 cm, generally about 15 cm. Width:             Up to 22 cm, generally about 14 cm. Shape: Elliptical,             acuminate tip, decurrent base. Margin: Dentate. Texture             (both sides): Rugose. Petiole: Shape: Semi-circular. Length:             About 2 to 5 cm. Diameter: About 3 to 6 mm. Color: Upper             side: Yellow-green, RHS 146B. Under side: Yellow-green, RHS             146A. Leaflets of Compound Leaf: Terminal: Quantity: One.             Length: About 7 to 9 cm. Width: About 3 to 5 cm. Rachis:             Length: About 3 to 6 cm. Diameter: About 2 to 5 mm. Color:             Yellow-green, RHS 146A. Lateral: Quantity: About 2 to 4.             Length: About 4 to 9 cm. Width: About 2 to 5 cm. -   Flowering description:     -   -   Natural flowering season.—Grown outside as a bedding plant,             flowering occurs continuously during growing season (In             Denmark, from June to the beginning of October). Plants can             be brought to flower anytime when grown under the             recommended Greenhouse conditions.         -   Time to first flower.—About 8 to 9 weeks from potting of a             rooted cutting.         -   Lastingness of individual blooms on plant.—Depending on             weather conditions, about 7 to 12 days.         -   Fragrance.—None. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Type.—Capitulum (composite flower head).         -   Arrangement.—Persistent, single, composite inflorescences             from leaf axils. Disc and ray florets arranged acropetally             on a capitulum.         -   Flowering aspect.—Upright, slightly spreading. Young flower             head/buds initially 70° to 90° turning to 30° when flower             head opens.         -   Quantity of flowers and buds per lateral branch.—About 1             open capitulum and 3 buds.         -   Fragrance.—None.         -   Bud.—Quantity: About 3 to 5 per lateral stem (buds continue             to develop when the dead composite flower heads are             removed). Rate of Opening: About 4 to 10 days for bud to             progress from first color to fully opened capitulum,             depending on temperature and light conditions. Shape:             Globular. Length (when color shows): About 1.5 to 2.0 cm.             Diameter (when color shows): About 1.0 to 2.0 cm. Texture:             Glabrous, shining. Color: Yellow-green, RHS 144C.         -   Peduncle.—Length: About 10 to 18 cm. Diameter: About 4 to             6 cm. Strength: Strong. Aspect (angle to vertical): First             flower: About 0° to 10°. Second flower: About 20° to 30°.             Color: Purple near node, RHS N187C, melting into green, RHS             138B.         -   Inflorescence.—Inflorescence depth (height): About 5 to             6 cm. Inflorescence diameter: bout 9.5 to 11 cm. Disc             diameter: About 1.4 cm. Receptacle diameter: About 1.6 cm.             Receptacle height: About 0.9 cm.         -   Ray florets.—Arrangement: Imbricate, in about 8-10 whorls of             ray florets, each with 10 to 18 florets to equal a total of             about 110 to 150 ray florets per capitulum, depending on             light and temperature conditions. Appearance: Obovate.             Overall shape: Circular to elliptic, slightly involute at             the sides and with a rounded tip. Apex shape: Obtuse. Base             shape: Acuminate, fused to form tube. Length: About 35 to             45 mm. Diameter (width): About 16 to 25 mm. Margin: Entire             Texture: Upper side: Glabrous. Under side: Glabrous with             visible veins. Orientation: Initially 15° from vertical,             with development, to 120° from vertical. Color: Development             and tones of color for florets may change slightly depending             on light and temperature conditions. When opening: Upper             side: Red, RHS 44A. When fully opened: Upper side: Red, RHS             44A. Just before senescence: Upper side: Red, RHS 44B.         -   Disc florets.—Arrangement: Massed at center of capitulum,             about 70 to 90 disc florets per capitulum, which are             yellow-white in color at the lower half, but appear more             yellow in appearance, due to the transparent corollas and             the underlying yellow color from the anthers. Appearance:             Tubular to single, fused corolla. Overall shape: Tubular.             Apex shape: Star with 5 triangular tips. Base shape: Fused             to tube. Length: About 5 to 7 mm. Diameter: About 1 mm.             Margin: Entire. Texture (both surfaces): Glabrous. Color:             Transparent, yellow-white, RHS 158C, letting the yellow, RHS             13A color of the anthers come through (before anthesis), to             yellow-orange, RHS 20A (at anthesis).         -   Phyllaries.—Quantity: One subtending each floret. About 160             to 200 phyllaries per capitulum. Appearance: Thin,             translucent, papery. Phyllaries, arranged acropetally on the             capitulum. Overall shape: Subulate. Apex shape: Acute with             rounded tip. Base shape: Fused. Length: About 20 mm. Width:             About 5 to 8 mm. Margin: Entire. Texture (both sides):             Glabrous. Color: Mature: Yellow-green, RHS 151 D, to green,             RHS 139 D, at base. Immature: Yellow-green, RHS 151 D, to             green, RHS 139 D, at base.         -   Bracts.—Quantity: About 5 to 8. Appearance and arrangement:             Reflexed, involucral bracts. Overall shape: Subovate. Apex             shape: Acute. Base shape: Sessile. Length: About 10 to             14 mm. Width: About 6 to 8 mm. Margin: Entire. Texture (both             sides): Glabrous. Color: Mature: Upper side: Green, RHS             139A. Under side: Green, RHS 139B. Immature: Upper side:             Green, RHS 139A. Under side: Green, RHS 138B. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Androecium.—Stamen: Number: 5, fused into synandrous tube             around style. Disc florets fertile, ray florets sterile.             Length: About 8 to 10 mm. Anther: Shape: Tubular. Length:             About 4 to 5 mm. Color: Yellow-orange, RHS 20A. Pollen:             Amount: Moderate. Color: Yellow-orange, RHS 20A.         -   Gynoecium.—Pistil: Quantity: One. Length: About 12 to 15 mm.             Stigma: Shape: Bifurcate. Length: About 4 to 8 mm. Color:             Yellow-orange, RHS 20A. Style: Length: About 6 to 8 mm.             Color: Yellow-orange, RHS 20D. Ovary: Diameter: About 1 mm.             Color: Yellow-green 151B. -   Seed/fruit: None observed. -   Disease/pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests common to     Dahlia have not been observed. -   Disease/pest susceptibility: Susceptibility to pathogens and pests     common to Dahlia have not been observed. -   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 2° C.     (but flowering ceases at constant temperature of 12° C.) and     tolerant to a high temperature of about 35° C. High temperatures     might reduce flowering. -   Growth regulators: Daminozide (85% water soluble dry concentrate     formulation). 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant named ‘DA12’, as described and illustrated herein. 